Unions: Worth Cycling ForPedal power joined the Your Rights At Work campaign on a 350km journey to take a message to Canberra’s politicians, wrties Phil Doyle.

Industrial: The Elephant in the CornerJim Marr takes a look at what the government has secreted away in the WorkChoices package, revealing what is really at stake - and what can be done about it.

Legal: A Law Unto ThemselvesIn this extract from the Evatt Foundation's 'State of the States' Jeff Shaw & Monika Ciolek look at the constitutional issues rasied by WorkChoices.

Politics: Ethically LonelyAt a forum in the Australian Stock Exchange sponsored by big end of town solicitors, you would expect at least one person to be in favour of John Howard’s industrial relations laws, wrties Rachael Osman-Chin.

The SoapboxWhitefellas - You Just Can’t Trust ‘Em.Racial stereotyping is a bad business. That said, Graham Ring has discovered a segment of society that drinks too much, behaves unreliably and can’t seem to adapt to change. Sadly, the conclusion is inescapable…

Costello Chokes On Asbestos Compo

Federal treasurer Peter Costello is the only obstacle in the way of asbestos victims being guaranteed $4.5 billion dollars in compensation from James Hardie.

Long time campaigner for asbestos victims rights, Bernie Banton, was jubilant and emotional after the building company signed off on the agreement last Thursday.

Banton thanked unions for their tireless efforts in achieving such a big win after such a long campaign, singling out the efforts of Paul Bastian from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Andrew Ferguson from the CFMEU. He also praised the longstanding efforts of fellow campaigner Jan Primrose.

Banton, accompanied by his family, was given a standing ovation by a meeting of Unions NSW following news of the win.

James Hardie, who have been locked in negotiations with unions, victims and the NSW Government, will also put another $3 million into education and research on asbestos related diseases.

The funding agreement for Australian asbestos-related personal injury claims will kick off with $154 million being placed in a trust fund, with the balance to be paid into the fund over the next 40 years.

Up to 35% of James Hardie cash flow will be paid into a Special Purpose Fund (SPF), with compensation payments determined by the Dust Diseases Board.

The agreement hangs on the federal government allowing the money to be claimed as a tax deduction by Hardies, and for income from the fund to be tax-free.

As part of the resolution of the long running dispute all bans on James Hardie products have been lifted by unions.